New York--The Manhattan Childrens Center (MCC), a school for children with autism and other developmental disabilities recently opened its new 20,000 square foot Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Center for Transdisciplinary Learning. Founded in 2007 with four students, MCC currently educates over 90 students in its school-based programs and provides services to many more through its clinical affiliate, The Manhattan Behavioral Center (MBC).

The new center is fully ADA Accessible and features a life skills vocational center, a custom built Occupational Therapy gym, a social skills and enrichment center and sensory-friendly Speech and OT treatment areas.

This year, MCC will educate 72 students ages 4-15 in the new facility. “The school was planned and built specifically for our student population. Many unique details were taken into account, and we are thrilled with the results,” Perrie Gelb, MCC’s Co-Founder, said.

Dr. Amy Lackey, MCC’s Director of Education, echoed the sentiment. “To be able to teach in an environment that is tailored for our students is a huge advantage, and will translate into noticeable gains for our students,” Dr. Lackey said.

“To have a school built with your child in mind is every parent’s dream. MCC now has the facility our students need and deserve,” Abby Weiss, MCC’s Chief Administrative Officer, said. In 2012, Weiss’s husband Richard Weiss of the real estate firm Robert K. Futterman (RKF), introduced MCC to David Abrams of RKF, who represented MCC in the transaction. “We are ecstatic that our firm was able to help a great school with an amazing program and mission, locate a space that really suits their needs,” Mr. Weiss said.

“To get to the finish line and see the smiles on everyone’s faces, and more importantly, to have an appreciation for the project’s purpose, it becomes extra memorable,” Robert Knox of Talisen Construction, the project's General Contractor, said. Construction began on an accelerated timetable in April and the project remained on track throughout the summer.